ESCAUT10.TXT v1.0 (updated 06/12/95)

The ESC File Distribution Service.                         Author Information
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks for your interest in participating in this venture. We feel that it 
provides a very valuable distribution service for our ESC authors, taking over 
where the ESC services end.

First of all, let us make a few things absolutely clear before wasting any of 
your valuable time:

1) The submission of files for distribution via this service is reserved for 
ESC Author/Publisher members ONLY. You must be a current ESC member in good 
standing in order to participate in this service.

2) This is *NOT* an ESC-Sponsored project. It is a private endeavour, and not 
officially sponsored or funded by the ESC in any way.

Now, with all that out of the way, we can get on to the other stuff.


THE TECHNOLOGY
--------------
Your file(s) are submitted either electronically or on floppy disk to the ESC 
FDN administration site. From that point, they are processed and copies are 
fed to the Planet Connect satellite system, and also to the FidoNet Filebone 
system. Your single disk has the potential of reaching virtually thousands of 
BBSs and other distribution services within days (sometimes hours) of it being 
received at the HQ site. Your program is also then uploaded to the various 
optional online services such as CompuServe, ZiffNet, etc., giving your 
product even more exposure.


THE REQUIREMENTS
----------------
The author submission requirements for participation in The ESC File 
Distribution Service are fairly minimal and straight forward. While they are 
simple, they are also necessary and strictly enforced.

1) Your file must submitted be in archived format. While you are free to use 
any of the standard archive formats (ZIP, ARC, ARJ, LZH, etc), be advised that 
the network processing *will* convert your archive to PKZIP v2.04g format. 
(NOTE: If your ZIPd files contain a valid PKZIP Authenticity Verification 
stamp, we will *not* rearchive the files, thus leaving your AV stamp intact).

2) Your file must contain a valid, properly formatted FILE_ID.DIZ file.

   2a) You should also be advised that this network will support the 
   VENDINFO concept (created by H. Rudy Ramsey) when it is released and 
   in wide-spread use, and the ESC FDN Service reserves the right to also 
   require the VENDINFO file format at some point in the future. A 
   suitable grace period will be allowed. We *strongly* urge that you 
   take advantage of the Vendinfo system!

3a) You *MUST* send your files on disk (any format accepted, 720k 
preferred),

-or-

3b) Files may be submitted electronically, provided that the author is able 
to pay the fees via credit card (MasterCard/Visa). Files may be submitted 
via CompuServe email, or uploaded directly to our support BBS.

4) Your submission must include the necessary network processing fees. 
There is a "basic" fee of $15 per program, which covers the actual 
processing of the file into the network, plus any additional 
multi-part submission or optional service surcharges.

   4a) Multi-file programs (i.e. programs that are distributed as more than 
   1 compressed file) will be charged an additional $5/file for each 
   additional file. For example, if your program is distributed as 3 
   compressed files, the fee would be the basic $15, plus an additional $10 
   for the additional 2 files. The total cost for the "basic" network 
   distribution would be $25 for all 3 files. Please note that we *strongly*
   discourage the use of multi-part filesets.

   4b) If your file contains a valid VENDINFO.DIZ file, you may take a $5
   discount from the above basic fee, thus reducing the "basic" fee back
   down to $10.

   4c) In addition to the basic network distribution, we also offer a variety 
   of other "optional" services, which *may* require additional fees. The fees
   for these additional services are outlined below.

Credit Card payments (VISA/MasterCard) are accepted. If you wish to use this 
form of payment for the processing fees, simply fill out and sign the credit 
card information block at the bottom of the form. Be *sure* that you fill in 
the "TOTAL ENCLOSED" portion of the form, so there is no confusion about the 
amount that will be charged to your credit card.

5) Your distribution license *must* grant blanket distribution rights for all 
BBS systems, so that our BBS participants are assured that they have rights to 
freely distribute any files received via this network on their BBS systems.


------------
RESTRICTIONS
------------
Authors who submit programs for distribution via the various services provided 
by the ESC FDN Service must be aware that our services have the potential of 
being distributed internationally. Do not submit programs or materials that 
are restricted in distribution by the United States Government or restricted 
in distribution by copyright laws. By submitting your products to the ESC FDN 
Service, you assume the responsibility of your products being distributed so 
widely and freely.

The submitting author is responsible for insuring that submitted files do not 
violate any of the following restrictions or requirements:

1)  NO Pornography (pictures or text).

2)  NO Government restricted encryption.

3)  NO Marketing schemes for retail products or services
       masquerading as 'shareware'.

4)  NO Shareware products which are marketed as "retail"
       products in other countries.

5)  NO Programs or information intended for illegal uses.


-------------------
THE SUBMISSION FORM
-------------------
We realize that many of you may be thinking that this is yet another needless 
submission form. However, we feel that the form is necessary in order to 
provide a proper audit trail of all submissions, as well as being necessary 
for the various distribution permissions (and signatures) required for some 
additional services. Please accommodate us by completing the form. Think of it 
this way - by your editing, printing, and submitting of this single form along 
with your file, your file will be posted for downloading by virtually hundreds 
of BBS systems throughout the world, as well as being distributed via 
additional services.


AUTHOR INFORMATION SECTION:
---------------------------
The Author information (name, address, phone number, etc) must be provided so 
that we have a way to contact you in the event of a problem. Please be sure to 
list your complete mailing address. If you have a CompuServe account, then you 
should also include your CIS ID. Likewise, you should list your INTERNET 
address if you have one. Any FidoNet or RIME network address may be listed 
here as well. All of this information will be for network use *only* and will 
be considered confidential.


SUBMITTED FILE(S) INFORMATION SECTION:
--------------------------------------
This section describes the program, and its associated distribution files. 

The first item is for the actual distribution archive filename(s). If your 
program is to be distributed on normal BBS systems as a multi-file set, then 
each filename of the set should be listed. NOTE: this section is *NOT* for 
listing multiple programs, but only for listing multiple distribution files 
for the same program. Each separate "program" that you submit requires a 
separate submission form.

IMPORTANT: The filename(s) *must* be unique for this particular release. 
           Unlike Compuserve, each file distributed via this network (or 
           BBSs in general, for that matter) must have a unique filename. 
           This filename must be different from that of a previous release, 
           or the processing software will interpret it as a duplicate of 
           the previous one. Also, be aware that the filename(s) that you
           use for this distribution can not be used again in the future.
           This is just one reason that we recommend including the program
           version number as a part of the distribution filename.

Following that is a section which allows you to define the associated file 
name for your product if it is to be uploaded to the PCNET (formerly known as 
IBMNET) and/or ZENITH forums on CompuServe, and/or the PBS forums on ZiffNet. 
The use of these CompuServe-based services had a few special restrictions and 
requirements:

1)  Only 1 single file is allowed for uploading to the PCNET, ZENITH, and 
    ZIFFNET/PBS services.  ZiffNet will no longer accept multi-part files. 
    While the PCNET forums will *accept* multi-part files, they actually 
    prefer single files. As such, we have decided to only allow single files 
    for our distribution to these services. 

    If your normal BBS product is distributed as a multi-part fileset, and 
    you wish to also use our CompuServe-based uploading services, then you 
    must also include the additional "single file" archive on your submission 
    disk, in addition to the multi-part fileset. (If your BBS distribution
    file is also a single ZIP archive, there is no need to supply a separate
    archive for CIS/ZNT - we'll simply use the BBS file with the CIS/ZNT name)

2)  The filename used for this option *must* be generic (i.e. it cannot 
    include any reference to the product version number. Most CIS-based 
    forums frown on version numbers in filenames, and ZiffNet will no 
    longer accept files with version number references in the filenames.

If these requirements and restrictions present a problem for you, or if you 
don't agree with this policy, then simply say "N" to these distribution 
options, and upload to those services directly.

Remember - If you elect to use the PCNET, ZENITH, or ZIFFNET/PBS options, 
*and* your normal product is a multi-part fileset, please *also* include the 
single distribution file on your disk for distribution to those CIS/ZNT based 
services.


The next portion provides information which will be used to create an online 
file description for use by the automated processing software. This 
information will be provided to the BBS system (via software) to allow for 
unattended processing and immediate online availability of your file. This 
particular description is provided as a benefit for those systems which do not 
make use of the FILE_ID.DIZ description file. The online description will be 
created by combining the information from fields A, B, and C, and will 
automatically include an <ESC> marker as a part of the Title. Here is a sample 
of the format that will be used:

  MY PROGRAM v1.2 <ESC> - A unique utility that clears hard drive space.

Multiple file sets will also include an appropriate file number indicator, 
such as "(1of2)". (NOTE: This will be added by us - do not include it on your 
form)

The software is somewhat limited in total description length, and the network 
coordinators may edit your description accordingly if the combined length of 
the fields exceeds the limits. We realize that this short description may be 
inadequate to fully describe your program, but we emphasize that this 
description is *only* provided for those systems which do *NOT* make use of 
FILE_ID.DIZ. Be sure to actually *describe* your program, as opposed to 
*advertising* it (i.e. don't "hype" the program via the description).

Following that is a field for you to provide KEYwords for your product. These 
keywords should be separated by spaces, and not commas. This field is only 
necessary if you have selected any of the PCNET, ZENITH, or ZIFFNET/PBS 
uploading options.


After the program description information, you must select a product category 
for your program. The files will be distributed in the following categories:

   Category:  Topic:
   -----------------------------------------------------------------------
   ESC-MATL   ESC Materials (official ESC use only)
   ESC-TCHA   Teaching Aids
   ESC-LRNA   Learning Aids (study guides and plans, test preparation, 
                             skill building)
   ESC-ARTS   Arts (fine arts, applied arts, performing arts)
   ESC-BUS    Business (economics, finance, occupations)
   ESC-CIVC   Civics (government, law, politics)
   ESC-SSCI   Social Sciences (anthropology, sociology, psychology, philosophy)
   ESC-MATH   Mathematics
   ESC-HIST   History
   ESC-SCI    Sciences (astronomy, biology, earth sciences, medicine, 
                        engineering, physics)
   ESC-LNGE   Language Arts - English
   ESC-LNGI   Language Arts - International
   ESC-LEIS   Leisure & Recreation (home, hobbies, sports, entertainment)
   ESC-RLGN   Religion
   ESC-COMP   Computer Skills/Programming
   ESC-OTHR   Other (use this category *ONLY* if your product does not fit 
                     into any other category)
 
You *MUST* select a category (and only 1 category) for your file. The network 
will not be responsible for selecting the category for you. However, we do 
reserve the right to change a category if we feel an alternate category 
would be more appropriate for the file.


PREVIOUS VERSION INFORMATION SECTION:
-------------------------------------
This section is provided so that you can specify a previous version BBS 
filename of your program, which is to be removed from distribution. You 
*MUST* legally own the rights to any filename that you list here. In some 
cases, the file listed here will be automatically removed by the software, 
if the sysop has enabled this option. You must specify only the 
distribution archive filename of the file that you want removed (i.e. the 
software can only handle filenames, not program names). This filename 
*MUST* be different from the filename that you are submitting for 
distribution, and can not contain "wildcards". 

(NOTE: the current processing software will only process a *single* filename, 
so be sure to list only your most recent version to be removed).

------------------------
BASIC NETWORK SUBMISSION
------------------------
The basic service includes automatic distribution to:

  1) the Planet Connect satellite system, which distributes the files to 
     well over 1,000 BBSs in North America,
  2) the Pagesat satellite system, which distributes the files to well
     over 500 BBSs in North America,
  3) BBS systems via the FidoNet Filebone system, which distributes files 
     world-wide via FidoNet BBS systems

-------------------------
OPTIONAL SERVICES OFFERED
-------------------------
We offer a variety of additional distribution services that you may optionally 
select. Some of these optional services may require additional fees. Since 
these additional fees may be based on the size of the files being distributed, 
it may be more economical for authors to distribute directly to these 
services. However, these optional services may be worth the additional expense 
in terms of convenience, as you only need to mail a single disk to a single 
site, and then have the files distributed to all of the various distribution 
services that you have selected.

Please note that these additional services are "optional", and do not affect 
the basic distribution of your files via the ESC FDN Service in any way. You 
can choose to participate in any of them, all of them, or none of them, and 
still use the services of the ESC FDN.

1) Submission to an INTERNET FTP Site
-------------------------------------
If you select this option, we will automatically provide your file(s) directly 
to our Internet service provider. Once there, your file(s) will be available 
to anyone on the Internet, via ftp request to ftp.secret.com. Files will be 
maintained on this service for a full year, unless they are replaced by a 
newer release.

This is a surcharged service, and the fees are based on your ZIP archive file 
sizes, according to the following schedule:

 Files of    0 - 1024Kb (0,000,000 - 1,048,576 bytes) are charged $ 7.50
 Files of 1025 - 2048Kb (1,048,577 - 2,097,152 bytes) are charged $15.00
 Files of 2049 - 3072Kb (2,097,153 - 3,145,728 bytes) are charged $22.50
 Files of 3073 - 4096Kb (3,145,729 - 4,194,304 bytes) are charged $30.00


Upload to CompuServe/ZiffNet based online services
--------------------------------------------------
The following 3 optional services are all "uploaded" services to various 
CompuServe and/or ZiffNet online forums. In an effort to simplify the fee 
structure, we merely charge a flat $5 fee for the use of any/all of these 3 
services. You may select all 3, or any combination of the 3, for a single $5 
charge.

2) Upload to the PCNET (formerly IBMNET) Forum Libraries
--------------------------------------------------------
If you select this option, we will automatically upload your file(s) directly 
to the PCNET forum libraries on CompuServe.

Please note that our policy requires only a single file for this service, even 
if a multi-part fileset is being submitted for "normal" BBS distribution. 
Also, the filename for this file must be generic (i.e. it must not contain a 
reference to the version #).


3) Upload to the ZENITH Forum Libraries
---------------------------------------
If you select this option, we will automatically upload your file(s) directly 
to the ZENITH forum libraries on CompuServe.

Please note that our policy requires only a single file for this service, even 
if a multi-part fileset is being submitted for "normal" BBS distribution. 
Also, the filename for this file must be generic (i.e. it must not contain a 
reference to the version #).


4) Submission to Ziff-Davis Interactive Services
------------------------------------------------
If you select this option, we will automatically send your file(s) directly to 
the Ziff-Davis Interactive "Author Upload Center" for processing and potential 
distribution via their various online and catalog vending services.

This option allows for Ziff-Davis Interactive to distribute your file(s) on 
their various online (electronic) services, including their PBS BBS system, 
the ZiffNet/PBS sections on CompuServe, the ZiffNet/PBS sections on Prodigy 
(following review only), and the Ziff-Davis Interchange service (when that 
system becomes available). Please note that selecting this option *does not* 
guarantee that your file(s) will be included in *all* ZDI services - it merely 
gives ZDI the permission to do so should they select your file(s) for any of 
their services.

Please note that our policy requires only a single file for this service, even 
if a multi-part fileset is being submitted for "normal" BBS distribution. 
Also, the filename for this file must be generic (i.e. it must not contain a 
reference to the version #).


---------------------
SUBMITTING YOUR FILES
---------------------
Your files are to be submitted only to the Network HQ site. All files must be 
submitted either via floppy disk, or electronically via CompuServe email or 
direct upload to our support BBS system.

Floppy disk formats of 360k, 720k, 1.2M, and 1.44M will be accepted (720k 
preferred). Your floppy disk should include the archived distribution file(s) 
in the format that they are to be distributed in. You may include more than 
one program/file on a disk if space permits. All files should be placed in the 
root directory of the floppy disk (i.e. NO subdirectories). 

Your submission must also include a check or money order for the processing 
fees according to the schedule above. Checks/Money Orders are to be made 
payable to "RMH Computer Services" and are to be in US funds. Credit Card 
payments (MasterCard or VISA only) are now accepted. To charge the processing 
fees to your credit card, simply fill out the Credit Card block at the end of 
the submission form (you *MUST* fill in the "TOTAL:" field).

The address of the Network HQ site is:

   ESC FDN Service
   Richard Holler       
   PO Box 657         
   Beech Grove IN 46107-0657    

Should you need additional information regarding anything, please contact 
Richard Holler:

   (317) 782-9903 [voice]
   (317) 784-2147 [BBS] 
   FidoNet 1:231/290    
   RIME ->5056          
   CompuServe 73567,1547
   INTERNET: 73567.1547@compuserve.com

